Wheaton native Sean Rooney took an unusual route to his spot on Team USA. The journey began while he was in high school, still playing basketball and only 6–feet tall.

"I knew volleyball because my sister played," recalls Rooney. " She played in high school and college and the clubs, so I was always around it. But I never really picked up a volleyball until I was in high school. There was just something about the game. I wanted to play all of the time."

A funny thing happened after Sean switched sports. He grew 10 inches and helped Wheaton–Warrensville South win an IHSA volleyball title. That grabbed the attention of college coaches and eventually, like a lot of players, Rooney evolved into a California beach bum as a 4–time All–American at Pepperdine.

"It took a while. I went out and lived in California and I still live there. The volleyball competition in the league and college out there was amazing."

Rooney’s played in the NCAA finals but he’ll be a rookie at the Olympics. After narrowly missing out on a medal four years ago Team USA is hopeful of redemption.

"Right now we’re ranked third in the world and that puts us in medal contention. We want to be as consistent as we can at being the best team as we can. We’re trying to beat everybody and we can beat everybody."

This weekend the Olympic rookie from Chicagoland will have friends and family watching – and next month, the whole world.